Published on Friday, 25 September 2020 at 2:59:14 PM
The Shire of Denmark will consider the development of a Tourism Strategy to guide long-term decisions around tourism, whilst also supporting the tourism industry to investigate new and creative ways to offer visitor experiences.
At the upcoming October Council meeting, a report will ask Council to consider the development of a Denmark-focussed strategy to guide officers and Council in decision-making affecting tourism into the future.
It is proposed that stakeholders, industry and community will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of the strategy which is anticipated to be completed by 31st March 2021.
The Denmark Visitor Centre closed at the end of July when the Amazing South Coast Tourism Inc moved to focus on its core business of destination marketing. Since commencement in 2018 the ASCTi campaign has delivered marketing services that have contributed to an increase in the number of visitors and duration of stays in the region, according to Tourism WA data.
Council provided in-principle support to Denmark Chamber of Commerce for their ‘Touchpoint’ visitor servicing model, however since then, other models for visitor servicing have emerged and DCC withdrew their model in order to support tourism providers, rather than compete.
The newly formed Denmark Tourism Inc, a not for profit entity has come forward with a proposal, in collaboration with Green Skills, to reopen and manage the Visitor Centre. This proposal will be discussed at the October Council meeting.
Shire President Ceinwen Gearon said “Councillors and staff have been working incredibly hard to support industry, whilst at the same time being aware of the need to invest public funds carefully to achieve the best outcomes for not only the tourism industry but the community as a whole.
“We must take a long-term view and understand the significant changes to the way accommodation bookings and industry as a whole has needed to adapt with the new share economy,” she said.
Chair of the Amazing South Coast Inc Susan McCabe said “ASCTi supports the Shire taking a long-term and strategic view of tourism. The development of a Tourism Strategy, where the community and Great Southern can work collaboratively is a fundamental objective of the ASCTi.
“We are committed to working with DTI, Green Skills and the Chamber to find the best outcomes for Denmark in transitioning to a new model of visitor servicing,” she said.
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